How to Get a Cake to Settle

Cake needs to settle before icing is applied.

The heady smell of pound cake or the rich texture of chocolate cake is desired by a variety of bakers -- from professionals to home cooks. And delicious cake recipes are often topped with elaborate icing, from royal to fondant. However, even with a perfectly baked cake, the dessert must settle before any kind of icing is applied, otherwise it may crack, fold and wrinkle. Does this Spark an idea?

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Cooling rack

Instructions

- 1
  
  Place the baked cake upside down on the middle of the cooling rack.
- 2
  
  Remove the cake from its baking pan by tapping lightly. Pull the pan off slowly.
- 3
  
  Cool the cake for one hour on the rack.
- 4
  
  Place the cake on the platter where it will be decorated.
- 5
  
  Drape the cake in plastic wrap so it remains moist. Allow it to settle for at least four hours.
- 6
  
  Place the cake in the freezer for one hour, or until firm to the touch, to finalize settling.